Gazania plant named &#39;LOMGAZREBR&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Gazania  cultivar named ‘LOMGAZREBR’ is disclosed, characterized by compact growth habit, compact leaf structure and deep red/bronze flower coloration. The plants bloom continuously and are uniquely suited for container production. The new variety is a  Gazania,  normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES

Gazania splendens

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘LOMGAZREBR’

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Gazania cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Henry Lommerse, in a commercial greenhouse in Mariahout, the Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Gazania varieties. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during June of 2007.

The seed parent is the unpatented, proprietary variety Gazania ‘8147/07’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietary variety Gazania ‘5720/07’. The new variety was identified as a potentially interesting selection in Jul. 1, 2008, at a commercial greenhouse in Mariahout, the Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘LOMGAZREBR’ by vegetative cuttings was first performed during May of 2009, at a commercial greenhouse in Mariahout, the Netherlands. Subsequent propagation has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type on successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘LOMGAZREBR’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘LOMGAZREBR’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘LOMGAZREBR’ as a new and distinct Gazania cultivar:

-   1. Compact growth habit. -   2. Compact leaf structure. -   3. Deep red/bronze flower coloration. -   4. Flowers stay open during a long part of the day, including dark     evening hours. -   5. Commercially useful as garden plant. -   6. Uniquely suited for container plant use.

Parent Comparison

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LOMGAZREBR’ are similar to plants of the seed parent, Gazania ‘8147/07’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘LOMGAZREBR’ produce larger flowers than the seed parent. Additionally, the new variety produces darker green leaves than those of the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘LOMGAZREBR’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent, Gazania ‘5720/07’ in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘LOMGAZREBR’ produces shorter leaves than those of the pollen parent. Additionally, plants of the new variety are more compact than plants of the pollen parent.

Commercial Comparison

Plants of the new cultivar are best compared to the unpatented commercial variety Gazania ‘Gazoo Orange’. Plants of the new variety produce flowers colored red/bronze, whereas this comparator produces orange flowers. Additionally, flowers of the new variety are open for a longer period during the day. Plants of the new variety are continuous flowering whereas plants of the comparator flower sporadically.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘LOMGAZREBR’ grown outdoors in Mariahout, the Netherlands, planted in the ground, in a trial field. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 6 months from a rooted cutting. FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical inflorescence of ‘LOMGAZREBR’. The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart 2001 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘LOMGAZREBR’ plants grown in a commercial greenhouse in Mariahout, the Netherlands. The growing temperature ranged from 17° C. during the day to 15° C. during the night. The greenhouse is un-shaded, giving bright, normal sunlight conditions. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Gazania splendens ‘LOMGAZREBR’ -   Propagation: -   Time to initiate roots: About 21 days at approximately 17° C. -   Root description: Fine, freely branching. -   Plant: -   Age of plant described: 12 weeks days from a rooted cutting. -   Growth habit: Upright -   Height: Approximately 20 cm. -   Plant spread: Approximately 44 cm. -   Growth rate: On average 3 cm per week, depends on time of year. -   Branching characteristics: No branching. -   Foliage: -   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Irregularly whorled, basally emerging, single.         -   Average length.—Approximately 12 cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Oblanceolate.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Attachment.—Stalked.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.         -   Appearance top surface.—Glossy.         -   Appearance bottom surface.—Shiny.         -   Leaf internode length.—Approximately 0.3 to 1 cm.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137 C Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138 C Mature foliage             upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147 A Mature foliage under             side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147 D. -   Venation:     -   -   Type.—Pinnate.         -   Venation color upper side.—Indistinguishable from leaf             blade.         -   Venation color under side.—Indistinguishable from leaf             blade. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—Average 2.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.3 cm.         -   Pubescence.—No.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 144 A. -   Flower: -   Natural blooming season: Spring and Summer, continuously -   Flower form: Daisy-type composite inflorescence form. Inflorescences     solitary. Ray and disc florets develop acropetally on a capitulum. -   Bud:     -   -   Bud shape.—Conical.         -   Bud length.—Approximately 3 cm.         -   Bud diameter.—Approximately 1 cm.         -   Bud color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144 A. -   Inflorescence/flower:     -   -   Diameter of entire flower.—Approximately 12 cm.         -   Depth of flower.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Width of disc.—Approximately 2 cm.         -   Depth of disc.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Quantity per plant.—Approximately 15 flowers and buds on a             12 week old plant. -   Ray florets:     -   -   Number of ray florets.—Avg. 20.         -   Length.—Approximately 4.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.3 cm.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Shape.—Oblanceolate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Glabrous.         -   Aspect.—Slightly curved. -   Color:     -   -   Ray florets.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Red 44             B Upper surface at maturity: Near RHS Red 44 A Upper surface             at fading: Near RHS Red 43 A Under surface at first opening:             Near RHS Red 42B Under surface at maturity: Near RHS Red 42             A Under surface at fading: Near RHS Red 45 B.         -   Disc florets.—Number of Disc Florets: Approximately 172             Length: 1 to 1.5 cm Width: 0.2 to 0.3 cm. Shape: Tubular             Margin: Wavy. -   Color:     -   -   At first opening.—Near RHS Yellow-Orange 14 A.         -   At maturity.—Near RHS Yellow-Orange 14 B.         -   At fading.—Near RHS Yellow-Orange 14 C. -   Fragrance: No -   Peduncle:     -   -   Peduncle length.—Approximately 15 cm.         -   Peduncle diameter.—Approximately 1 cm.         -   Angle.—Approximately 90 deg from center of whorl. (Upright).         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138 C.         -   Peduncle texture.—Glabrous. -   Reproductive organs: -   Disc florets: -   Androecium:     -   -   Stamens.—About 5.         -   Anther shape.—Linear.         -   Anther length.—Approximately 0.5 cm. -   Gynoecium:     -   -   Pistil number.—1.         -   Pistil shape.—Needle.         -   Pistil length.—Approx. 0.5 cm.         -   Style length.—Approx. 0.5 cm. -   Ray florets (if any reproductive structures present): -   Androecium: Not present. -   Gynoecium:     -   -   Pistil number.—1.         -   Pistil shape.—Needle. -   Other characteristics: -   Fruit/seed production: Moderate production of achene type seeds.     -   -   Shape.—Ovate.         -   Color.—Near RHS Grey-Brown 199B.         -   Size.—2 mm. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Gazania plant named ‘LOMGAZREBR’ as herein illustrated and described. 